Top Two Make It To The SIFL Championship
July 23, 2009 - Southern Indoor Football League (SIFL)
Austin Turfcats News Release
AUSTIN, Texas - The Austin Turfcats (10-2) travel to Lake Charles, La. on Monday to take on the Louisiana Swashbucklers (11-1) in the inaugural Southern Indoor Football League President's Cup championship game. These teams proved they deserve the right to fight for the title after being the top two teams in the league for the majority of the season and the first and second place teams in the playoffs.
While the end of the season treated the Swashbucklers nicely, the Turfcats had back-to-back road games in week 13 and a battle in their playoff game. The Turfcats hosted the Acadiana Mudbugs (6-6) July 18 in the first of two semi-final games. There were eight lead changes and a tied game at the end of regulation. In the first overtime played in SIFL history, the Turfcats scored quickly and a strong defensive stance sealed the 56-49 overtime victory for the Turfcats. Gary Cooper threw for 124 yards and three touchdowns, two to Darrick Wallace and one to Robert Quiroga. David Banks had three rushing touchdowns and Keith Clay had one. Darren Brown hit two field goals, one for 27 yards and one for 43.
After a bye in the last week of regular season games, the Swashbucklers hosted the Houma Conquerors (3-9) on July 20. The Swashbucklers swept the regular season series with the Conquerors 3-0, beating them 48-16, 41-16, and 51-40. The Swashbucklers proved their dominance outscoring the Conquerors by at least twice as many points in every quarter winning the game 61-19. If the ball wasn't in quarterback Alvin Bartie's hands, then chances are it was in Kirt Duhon's. Duhon rushed 16 times for 144 yards, 3 touchdowns and 7.1 yards per rush. Bartie rushed another seven times for 20 yards and two scores, throwing only eight times but connecting on seven of those passes for 107 yards and one touchdown. The Turfcats gave the Swashbucklers their only loss splitting the regular season series 1-1 with both teams winning at home. They first met May 9, in Austin. After a scoreless first quarter and the score tied three times in the second quarter, the Turfcats took the lead right before half time. Although the Swashbucklers narrowed the gap to less than two points twice in the third quarter, the Turfcats were able to hang on and win 56-53. The Swashbucklers had not been beaten since 2006.
The Swashbucklers' revenge came July 15, in Lake Charles, La. After an explosive start and a 16-point lead by the Turfcats, the Swashbucklers took the lead with one second remaining in the first half. The Swashbucklers held the Turfcats to only seven points in the second half while they scored 23, winning 60-43. A record number of balls were used during the game as both teams routinely sent the kickoff out of bounds to avoid a long return. Since the Swashbucklers have the higher seed, they will host the President's Cup championship game Monday at the Smuggler's Den at the Lake Charles Civic Center. Kickoff is at 6:30 p.m. and tickets will be available at the ticket booth on game day. For ticket prices visit the Swashbucklers website at www.labucs.com. A live broadcast of the game will be available on www.southernifl.com and, as always, live updates will be posted on the Turfcats homepage at www.turfcats.com and Twitter at www.twitter.com/austinturfcats. For more information, to get photos for media outlets or to get your 2010 Austin Turfcats season tickets, contact the Turfcats office at (866) 969-8228 (TCAT) or by electronic mail at jenna@turfcats.com
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Southern Indoor Football League Stories from July 23, 2009
- La. State Senator To Officiate SIFL Championship Game Coin Toss - SIFL
- Lewis Named SIFL Defensive Player Of The Year - SIFL
- Top Two Make It To The SIFL Championship - Austin Turfcats
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